Stump auger



w. HUGHES. sumf AUGER. APPLICATION FILED 8.16, 1921.

Patented Mar. 28, 1922.

H m W W A TTURNEYS TQnZZru/wmc't may concern:

r- NlTE D? --slTA ES PATENT @or-Flea WILLIAM HUG-HES, or MERIDIA'N, MISSISSIPPI.

' "S'IUMP AUGER.

Be it known that I, VVIILLIAM Huerrns, a Vcitizen of the United States,i and a resldent ofl -Meridian, in theV county of VLauderdale Vvand State of Mississippi, have invented certain new and useful `Improvements in Stump lAugers, of which the followingis a specification. v i This invention relates to stump angers :and method of destroying orA removing stumps from" land in a simple and effective `manner, such as by burning or blasting. It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine with which every farmer may be Yfurnished or equipped and which constitutes efficient means for ridding the field or vland of stumps easily and cheaply, by either burning or blasting, thus doing away with the old. back breakingmethod of digging themV out by hand, or otherineiicient or eX- pensive method or apparatus that is `now employed. I

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved portable and collapsible construrtion capable of being readily transported, operated and adjusted and in 'w lich the feeding of the auger can be readily controlled and operated to remove shavings from the hole bored thereby to facilitate the operation of the device, soas to free both the auger and the hole of shavings. The device is capable of being readily and compactly folded forV shipment, is economical to produce, durable in use, andy reliable, as well as easy to operate. I

Other and further objects of my inven- 'tion will become readily apparent from a consideration of the following description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein y Figure 1 is a perspective view vice, showing' themanner .of use.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation showing `the stump acted on by the device, and the method of burning or destroying the same.

*Figure is a transverse sectional view villustrating the manner of 'supporting the operative end of the auger or bit.

Figure -1 is fragmentary sectionalplan view showing .thefoperating land feeding means,

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of the auger or bit, and

Figure l6 is a transverse sectional View `taken on the section line 6 6 of Figure 4.

ofthe deL.

specification of Letters-Patent' Patented Mar. 28, 1922. Appiicatimma February 16,1921, serial N0.'445,419.`

Referring to the drawings in detail, in

whiclrlike Vreference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several strips of metal, including'the side members views, designates a base frame formed of v rear'and about 18 inchesl at the front end` f and Aarranged to set upon the ground. yThe ends vof the end members 12 and 13 are directed inwardly atright angles inthe same idirection as shown at 14 and pivotally or otherwise loosely connected to the extremities of the side members 11 at opposed sides` of the frame,`as indicated at 15 with the interposed lower extremities of the Side portions of two inverted U-shaped endfframes 16 and 17 pivoted therebetween .on the pivots 15 and arranged to be swung from vertical to horizontal positions within the sides 11 of the base frame 10 on said pivot, as it is thought will .readily appear from Van inspection of the drawings.

The end members 16 and 17 are thus arafuged to be'disposed `in vertical positions or to fold downwardly in compactrelation to the base. plate 10 at the ends thereof, the horizontal connecting portions thereof serving to brace the frame-and foret-her purposes, as will hereinafter appear. Connecting the sides of the framesl and 17 vare lbrace rods 18'and`pivoted to the leg portion vor sides of the frames 16 and 17, preferably lat the inside, and parallel to the plane of each side as shown at 19, are handles 2 0, the inner ends of which project over the rods 18 land below the pivots and handles soas'to Abracethe handles in outwardly extending`r horizontal positions for use-in transporting or carrying the device from place to place lor 'stump to Stump as it is thought will beL front, in addition to being taperedl toward its forward end which is disposed adjacent tothe stump when the device is .in use. It will also be observed that the 'transverse pivots 15 opposite are disposed in alignment, thus insuring proper movement of the end frames 16 and in downwardly and opposite directions toward each other and in alignment with the Vsides of the base Y jections beyond the pivots 19 moving out of contact with thetransverse brace rods 18 so as to dispose the handles 20 in alignment with the end framesl 16 and '17 when the latter' are folded as stated. Arranged upon the top ofthe end frame 16 formedby the cross connection or bight portion thereof l'is lan inverted U-shaped bracket 21, the same preferably having the Vlower extremities of its sides or leg portions directed outwardly Aand apertured to form attaching portions 22 which are'riveted `or otherwise secured to .the top portion 23 of said frame 16v inte'r- `niediately of the sides thereof. The bracket 2:1 is considerably narrower than the end frame 16 andhas its lopposed sides formed with spaced apertures 24 arranged in vertical rows to receive a cross pin 25 of such length than the extremities thereof will project outwardly beyond the sides of the bracket 21 for apurpose to be hereinafter ex lained.

ivoted to the'forward end of the frame 11 i's an lupper or auxiliary'frame 26 comprising sidemelnbers 27 preferably of angle iron with .a vertical inner fiange and a horizontal top-flange, said top flanges extending outwardly in opposite directions and the forward ends of the vertical flanges being pivoted for vertical swinging movement about horizontal pivots 2S of outstanding or rearwardly projecting end portions of angle brackets`29 secured to the innerface of the 'cross piece or endv member 13. vThe angular 'brackets' 29 are of right angular formation.,

and the forward ends of the side members 27 are j so formed as to permit free pivotal movement clear ofthe front end member or cross beam 13 so as to permitthe frame 26 Vto be lowered within the frame when the parts are folded or collapsed, or `to be raised and supported at different positions or angles ofinclin'ation'st-raddling the bracket 21 and supported by the pin 25 with which the 'lower edges of the vert-ical flanges of the side members 27 engage. A cross member of angle iron, indicated at 30, connects the rear ends of the sides 27 thus holding said `sidcsnin fixed relation to each other in con- 'nection with the V n pivotal mounting above referred to'.

A substantially V-shapedlianger 31 connects the sides 27 near but at a spaced distance from the forward ends thereof, said hanger having its horizontal end portions 32 rivetedy or otherwise secured tothe horii 'zontal flanges of the sides 27 and having its bight'portion 33 centrally located between said sides and forming a bearing for the forward portion of an auger shaftor biftrshankV g 34 extending central-ly and longitudinally of v the auxiliary frame at a corresponding in- ClinatiOlzl and havinga bit 35 at the forward end thereof. The vShaft` and bit may be *formed in one as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, or there may be provided a socket 3.6 in fwhich the bit shank is held through.

the medium of a` set` screw 37 .threaded through the wall of the socket. The latter construction is preferable, as thebit may be. Y

removed and replaced as desired ory necessary. f Mounted or secured beneath the-top flange of one side member 27 is a downwardly facing rack or rack bar 38, of suitableV length, along the upper portion of the fra-,me 2.6.V Movably orf slidably mounted upon the upper or auxiliary frame 26 for longitudinal adjustment thereon is a. bearing box 39, the same having flanges-at the sides, asindicated Vat 40,` resting on the topfianges of the sides 27, while the box proper fits between the vertical flanges and extends below the frame 26 ywhile being permitted' to freely slide or "move along the frame. A bearing socket 41 is sebearingbox 39 and rotatably receives the adjacent end of al transverse drive or crank shaft 42 which extends through the opposite side of thel box. and a bearing sleeve 43 cured to the outer face thereof, said shaft having on its projecting end an operating crank handle 44, detachable as shown. Fixed` to the shaft 42 is a beveled or miter gear 45 meshing with a smaller gear 46 lxed tothe upper end of the shaft 34 adjacent thereto, said latter shaft, Vas well as the shaft 42A extending transversely at right angles to the shaft 34, having the sleeve extensions or hubs of the gears fixed thereto. In order to hold the gears in proper mesh, a sleeve 47 corremay be otherwise fixed to the shaftv 42, and

as shown'in Figure 6may be keyedas-'indicated at 48. Thus it will appear that by Lso cured to the inner face of one side ofthe t turning the crank handle 44, rotation may be -V imparted to the 4augerin eitherdirection tol extrude or retract the-same.

p The operating parts, including the journal box will tend to move downwardly and forwardly automatically, the sides and flanges of the frame 26 and'bearing box 39 being lubricated Vif desired yor necessary. Thus it is necessary to provide means for holding the parts in an upward position with the auger retracted, and for this purpose, a hook 49 is 'mounted at the top of the bearing box, being pivoted Vto ,a right angular bracket 50 carried centrally thereon and adapted to engage thereof so that whenthe device is notl in the pinion use, y the bearingbox is movedjupwardly or pulledback untilfthe Vhookstrikes and automatically locksorengages with the pin so asto hold the parts in place. When the device is released by disengagement` of the hooks, it starts` to move, downwardly `at once and thus its feeding operationv must-be manually controlled, as;V the auger should never be turned loose, vbutflowered gently until it contacts with the` wood, sincev the track formed by vthel sidev 27 'of theupper. or auxiliary frame 26and the carrier andpart-icu- `larly .the side flanges 4 0 'of theboX 3 9 forming the same are preferably of polished steel.

However, ,means are provided for'use in conjunction with the. rack bar 38 in v order to retract thecutting tool upon the forward end-of the`shaft. 34f, especially adapted for use when the auger isused at a nearly horizontal position` and may. need more vforce 'than Agravity` in order to` feedthe same.

`For this purpose, a pinion-'51 isffixed to the short transverse shaft 52 journaled through the opposed sidesL of al hanger frame53 pivoted for verticaliswingingvmovement to .the lefthand side ofthebox 13 9'asindicated M541 in-afpositien to engage the teeth of a rackBS.,wbenraised so that b y turning 51 and vshaft 52 through. the medium of a c rank'handle- 55 vsecured to the shaft, the device may be adjusted longitudinallyin either direction.y The frame is adapted to be held in araised or Voperative position by a spring latch 56 secured to the Vupper side of thecarriagelor journal box 39Ha`tcits inner endv anddisplaceable at its outer endfor supporting saidl hanger frame o r permittingthe same. tobe swung downwardly wherebyV to disengage the pinion from the rack when the `feeding device is not in use., This arrangement may. be used as desired andmay be omitted ,inpractica InFigure 2 o fthe drawings, the method of destroying or burningis shown, the stump designated atl .5 7 in Figures land 2 being 'operated on by first digging ahole 'about 18 inches deep at `onemside of the stump as shown The machine vis then carried as previously described bytwojme'nyone vat Y V'each end vgraspingthe handles 2O and placed on the oppositefside offthestu'mp from that `atwhich thehole' is provided. The machine is then operated after releasing the hook 49 or by any other suitable boring apparatus and a hole vof suitable diameter, preferably about one and one-halfinches, is bored from the side opposite'the hole as indicated at 59"'at a `short[distanceA preferably about` two' inches below the surface of vthe earth 4as indicated at 6 0, downwardly at an angle of from twenty'to! forty degrees tofthe hole `otally connected, frames pivoted at the extremities of their leg portions to the ends ofY the base frame,

forming an Vexcavation at the opposite side vstriking it about five inches above the bottom; A fire is then built in the hole 58 and a chimney. so

the auger hole 59 will act as that the stump will burn out in a few hours. In thecase of such stumps as gum, sycamore and Such varieties it will be advisable f Vto set a ljoint of stove pipe over the upper l end at the hole`60 as indicated at 61 in order Y to give 4more draft. only'be necessary to bore two-thirds way For blasting, it will through the stump in order to have the blasting material in the center. When the auger has entered the stump from twelve to fourteen inches, it must be withdrawn to free `both the auger and the hole of shavings.

that inv order to pack and ship the device,

the track and auger are raised from the position shown in Figure 1, the trackand auger beinglaid on top of the rear support when pressed forwardlyfand downwardly. The machine is then folded in compact form and may be easily crated so as tooccupy aminimum amount of space.

In view of the foregoing, it is thought Vthat the operation of the device will be readily understood andin view of the simplicity and practical value, that it will readily commend itself to thoseskilled in thek art. i

Having thus described my invention, what Iclai'mis:-

l. In a stump auger, a'base frame comprising side members and end members pivinverted U shaped end aniauxiliary frame comprising spaced side members pivoted at their forward ends to .the forward end member andacross member connecting the same. at their rear ends,

.an inverted Ushaped bracket mounted upon the-rear end frame and having vertically adjustable supporting lmeans from the sides thereof, the vsides of the auxiliary'frame beingl adapted to rest upon said supporting means` a bearing block positioned betweenl the sides of the auxiliary proj eeting frame and having top flanges engaging upon` f said side portions of the auxiliary frame for movement longitudinally thereof, a bit journaled in said box, means for rotating the bit, and a 'hanger connecting the' side portions of the auxiliaryfranie upon which the shank of' the bit is adapted to turn.

2. .In a stump auger, ,a base frame comprising'side members and end members p'ivs V,otally connected, inverted U-shaped end legportions to the ends of the base frame,

yframes pivoted at the extremities of their an auxiliary` frame comprising spaced side fmembers pivoted at their'forwar'd ends to the forward end member and a cross memvshaped vhanger straddling thel sides lber connecting the same at their rear ends,

transverse brace rods connecting the sides of the end frame, handles, pivoted toV said side portions above said` rods and having inwardly ro'ectin 'ortions ada ted to P j g P P overlie the roc s to brace the handles in outwardly extending positions supporting the same uponV the auxiliary frame, Ineans for rotating said bit'and carried by saidsupporting means, and a V- of vthe auxiliary `frame near the forwardl ends of the side portions-upon which the Shank of the 'bit rests'. l Y

3. In a stump auger, a basexfraine cornrprising side members and end members pivotally connected, inverted U-s'haped' end frames pivoted at the extremities of their leg portions to theends of the base frame, van auxiliary frame comprising spaced side members pivoted( attheir forward ends to the forward end member' and a cross member connectingthe same at their rear ends,

s an inverted U-shaped brace mounted upon the rear end frame and having-vertical side portions spaced from the sides of said rear Vend frame, said side portions having vertical rows of apertures, a rod extending ltrans- -verselytlirough said apertures and projecting from the sides ofthe bracket, the sides of the auxiliary frame being adapted to rest on said rod Vand to permit angular adjustmentthereof, a bit mounted.longitudinally of the auxiliary lframe and having apertures at the forward end thereof, and means for rotating the b it. 'Y 4. In a stumpauger, a base frame comprising side members and end members pivotally connected, inverted U-shaped end `'frames pivoted at the extremities of their leg portions to the endsof the base frame, an auxiliary frame` comprising spaced side members pivoted at their forward ends to the forward end member and a cross member Y connecting the same at their rear ends, said auxiliary frame ycomprising angle 'iron seevtions having vertical inner portions and horizontal top portions, means carried upon the rear end frame for supporting said auxiliary frame for vertical angular adjustment at said linner portion, a rectangular bearing box fitted between and Vdepending from the foruse, an auger bit rotatablylmo'unted` longitudinally the auxiliary frame, means forV slidably 1 s'aid auxiliary''frame 'comprising angle iron sections having vertical inner portions and gagement permitting sidesv of the auxiliary frame and having top flanges resting upon the top portions thereof Y vancing the box and fbit when in operation,

said latter means being diseneadeablefto permit `the, box and bit vto lbe shifted independently of the'a'dvancingmeans. Y In a stump auger, a'base .frame comrprism Vside members and end, members pivota ly connected, inverted U-vshapedend frames pivotedA at the extremities of' their 'leg portions to the endsfof Vthe .base frame,

an auxiliary frame comprising spacedv side members pivoted attheir forward ends to the forward endimember` and a cross memc i ber connecting the same at their rear ends,

horizontal top portions, means carried upon the rear end frame for supporting said 'auxiliary frame for vertical angular adjustment at said inner portion, a rectangular vbearing boxfitted Vbetween and dependin from the, sides of the auxiliary frame and anfing top for longitudinal 'movement,' a crank shaft journaled ,transversely through tliebox beneath the sides of the auxiliary frame, a shaft geared thereto and running' longitudinallyof the auxiliary Vframe equi-disioo f ytantly between its sideS,. e bitjat the ffor- Y Werd @11d 0f the longitudinal-Shaft, a Triangel'Y sup orting the forward end of the longiframe for* Operation. ef th bitv below' the 'basefrfime at the frward Yend ofthe letter;

at therear and upperend of theauxiliary .Y

framejsaid means beingV releasable, la rack `bar mounted beneath one side portion of the lauxiliaryV frame Withthe teeth thereof disd10 Vtudinalishaft 'from'the sides of the auxiliary lposed dOWmvardly, a U-Shap'ed hanger frame Y pivoted upon. the'adiacerit rSide of. the bel-11T- ing box for vertical swinging movement, a

crank shaft journaled through the sides of said hanger- .frame a pinion A fixed Vthereto kwithin the frame and 'adapted to engage the rack bar whereby the bearing ,box may be advanced lor retracted uponrotation of the shaft, and means torhold the hanger. :trame in va raised positionl with the pinions Vin enf the release of the hanger frame and disengagement of the pinion whereby with the rack, said latter means the bearing box and bit may be independently moved with respect' to the advancing and retracting means.

6. In a stump auger, a base frame, an auxilary frame pivoted thereto at one end, means for supporting and holding the auxiliary frame in adjusted position angularly with respect to the main frame, a cutting tool carried by the auxiliary frame and operative at the lower end thereof, and means at each end of the frame for transporting the device, said latter meansy comprising end frames carried by the base frame, one 0f said end frames comprising a poition of said rst named means, and extensible han'- dles carried by the end frames and foldable within the same or extensible therefrom.

7. In a stump auger, a base frame comprising side members disposed vertically on edge, end members having inturned end portions pivotally connected to the ends of the side members, U-shaped end frames haring` their extremities pivoted between the ends of the side members and the extremities of the end members for movement to vertical positions or toward the base frame in a collapsed position, an auxiliary frame comprising side portions pivoted to the forward end member, and adapted for angular adjustment toward and away from the rear end member, transporting means carriedV by said end frames, means carried bythe rear end frame for adjustab'ly supporting the auxiliary frame, and a cutting tool mounted centrally and longitudinally of the auxiliary frame to extend beneath the forward end member and movably supported upon the auxiliary frame.

8. In a stump auger, a base frame comprising side members disposed vertically on edge, end members having inturned end portions pivotally connectedvto the ends ofv the side members, U-sh aped end frames having their extremities pivoted between the ends of the side members and the extremities of the end members for movement to vertical positions or toward the base frame in a collapsed position, an auxiliary framecomprising side portions pivoted to the forward end member, and adapted for angular ad- .justment toward and away from the rear end member, transporting means carried by said end frames, means carried by the rear end frame for adjustably supporting the auxiliary frame` a bearing box movably mounted upon the side members ofthe auxiliary frame and extending below said side members, a shaft j ournaled through one side of the bearing box beneath the adjacent side member for free movement with respectA thereto and serving' in connection with the lower side'of the box and near to the firstl named shaft, a boring tool at the lower end of the shaft and means for advancing or retracting the bearing box and tool on-the auxiliary frame, said means being adapted to be thrown outof operative action to permit the bearing box to freely slide upon the auxiliary frame in either direction.

9. A stump auger or drill comprising a base frame having opposed side and end members pivotally connected, an auxiliary frame pivoted t0 the forward end vof the base frame and forming spaced tracks, a bearing block movable along the tracks, a cross member near the lower portion of the auxiliary frame, means at the opposite end of the. base frame for adjustingthe rear end of the auxiliary frame vertically to vary the inclination thereof, a crank shaft journaledin the box, an auger shaft journaled in the box and geared to the crank shaft, said auger shaft resting in said cross member near the lower end and adapted to carry a cutting tool at said end, and means for releasably retaining the journal box in a backward position onthe frame.

v10. A stump auger comprising a base frame tapered toward one end, an auxiliary frame pivoted to the narrow end of the first frame mentioned and forming spaced tracks, a bearing box movable along said tracks, a crossmember near the lower portion of thev auxiliary frame, means at the wide end of the base framefor adjusting the rear end of the auxiliary frame vertically to vary the inclination thereof, and avcrank shaft journaled in the box beneath one side vof-the auxiliary frame, said box having a surrounding top flange with portions resting upon the top faces of the sidckportions of the auxiliary frame for sliding movement along the same, an auger shaft journaled in the box and geared to the crank shaft, said auger shaft resting in said cross member near its lower end-and vadapted to carry a suitable cutting tool at said end, said frames and supporting means forV the auxiliary a frame being adapted to be folded downwardly, the auxiliary frame folding within the base frame andcooperative-y and disengageable means between the auxiliary frame and the 'bearing box at'the side of the frame opposite'to thecrank operating means for retracting the latter and the'cutting tool or Y bit therewith.

y WILLIAM HUGHES.' 

